I am new to this site

[painteratheart]

I was diagnosed in February of this year with PMR. I am now 73 yrs old and this came on very suddenly after a bout with the flu. My doctor recognized symptoms and followed up with blood work which confirmed condition. Started on Prednisone (15 mg) and am now at 10 and half. Slowly reducing and can tell some difference each time, but nothing I can't handle at this point. Diet is crucial. Would suggest buying anti-inflammatory cookbook.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi,

Welcome.

Do you think “some difference each time” is steroid withdrawal (comes on virtually straight away and lasts 3 or 4 days) or is because you are dropping below the level you actually need (usually starts about a week or two after reduction).

If the former, then as you say is manageable, and any discomfort can be managed with paracetamol, but a slower taper like attached will stop those feelings -

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

If the latter, then just be aware you may be taking only just enough to control inflammation. So don’t suffer if it seems to get worse as you taper.

Good luck

[painteratheart in reply to DorsetLady]

Hello and thanks for contact. When checking my calendar re reductions, I realized I was rushing it a bit. Luckily, my doctor emphasized that I should do this VERY slowly to avoid yo-yo affect, and has trusted me to adjust according to how I feel. I've decided to be patient and not expect miracles.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to painteratheart]

Good approach to have, go at your own speed, as one of my GPs said “you know your own body and illness better than anyone else”.

Good advise from you doctor, wish more took his/her stance.

Miracles do sometimes hapoen😇

[Rosedail]

Welcome! Or as many here say “Welcome to the club that nobody wanted to join.” Glad you are doing well with your reductions...you’ll find lots of experienced folks here (and a range of varying experiences.) Hope you are still able to do lots of painting! As you get down to about 7 mg please be especially cognizant of going slowly with the reductions and pay special attention to how you are feeling🙂 Apparently that’s when your body has to kick in and start producing its own cortisone. Best to you!

[SheffieldJane]

Welcome painteratheart ( I hope you are in practice). Top marks to your doctor for spotting this and not sending you away with some post- viral nonsense. I have found this site a big help. I hope you do too. Well done with your taper so far - just take it nice and steady and aim for the lowest possible dose you are comfortable at. As PMRPro says “ it is not a race to zero”.

[painteratheart in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thanks for the encouragement. It helps to relate to others re PMR who actually understand each one of us is different. Will keep in touch!

[HeronNS]

Glad your taper is going well so far, but you are at the point where following one of the slow tapers developed by patients would be a good idea.

Do you really think an "anti inflammatory" cookbook would be helpful? I ordered a PMR cookbook from Amazon and it was so disappointing, recipes not even as healthy as I cook anyway, that I returned it.

And because we are all different, including differences in our gut microbiome, what's inflammatory for one may not be for another. Although I think there are some things which are, generally speaking, bad for everyone, like "white" carbs including sugar.

[Bamber99 in reply to HeronNS]

I’ve returned my cook book to amazon now as well😉Did a review too.

[painteratheart in reply to HeronNS]

The anti-inflammatory cookbook was mostly a guideline for foods to help/hinder condition. It's basically touting the Mediterranean diet, i.e. fresh veggies and fruits. Have used a few of the recipes, but mostly tweak suggestions as I go. If I go off the grid too much, I can tell it. However, I don't dwell on the fact that a little piece of chocolate now and then can do wonders!!

[HeronNS in reply to painteratheart]

a little bit of plain dark chocolate is supposed to be very good for us!